AFAR

The coolest underground restaurants, art spaces, and speakeasies hidden inside NYC subway stations

AFAR

The coolest underground restaurants, art spaces, and speakeasies hidden inside NYC subway stations

A tasteful selection awaits underground in New York City.

There is a variety of high-quality, unexpected businesses operating within the New York City subway system, transforming transit hubs into destinations for dining and culture. Key highlights include Nōksu, a Michelin-starred restaurant at the 34th Street–Herald Square station offering an upscale Korean-inspired tasting menu, and See No Evil Pizza, a punk-inspired eatery at the 50th Street station serving elevated, long-fermented pies. Beyond these culinary spots, the underground network features hidden gems like the Nothing Really Matters speakeasy, the historic Siberia Bar dive, and community-focused spaces like the Soundbooth at 81st for live music, proving that the city's "underworld" holds far more than just commuters and trains.

Article author:

Diana Hubbell

Photo credit:

Alex Truong (L); Byrnne Levy (R)